Hey gang,

It’s been pretty busy since I last spoke to you! Along with the other officers, I have recorded a Top 10 video explaining more about my issue regarding financial security for students. The officer team also met with Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath, in which we discussed a range of issues impacting students. Furthermore, I am in the middle of drafting a letter to Parliament with the help of the other officers so we can lobby Parliament to do more for students on the housing and cost of living crisis. The letter still needs work, as I want to make sure it is the best it can possibly be and that it really highlights the struggles students are going through. We are really pleased to have the support of Wera, as well as Ian White our Vice Chancellor.

I have also been working with Helen Stringer, the Director of Employability and Student Success, to create new short term paid internships within the university. These would act as an alternative to the six month or year long placements students typically undertake. The final details are being ironed out n, so I can’t tell you too many details just yet but this is just a little tease of what’s to come! Stay tuned next week for more! I'm super proud of this one, as it's something that was on my manifesto and will provide real life opportunities for students that build on transferrable skills. 

I am also in meetings to discuss how we could reward and recognise the efforts of our student leaders, volunteers and executive committee members. It’s so important to recognise students, as these roles are unpaid but require a great deal of hard work and commitment! Ideas of how to reward students have ranged from having celebrations at the end of semesters, all the way to putting the roles students have had on to their university degree transcript. These ideas are in preliminary stages so may still change, but is exciting nevertheless!

I have also attended a few Gold Scholars events recently too. They make up a large cohort of our volunteering groups and it was great to see all the work they do. It was equally fun to network with so many cool people and to see what graduates of the Gold Scholar Programme have gone on to do! There was definitely some good LinkedIn connections made there. 

Recently, we as an SU have voted to stay in the NUS and to also support any future UCU industrial action! I can't wait to see what NUS have to offer us and how we can get our concerns voiced right across the country. We also look forward to working constructively with UCU, in case of any future industrial action – not that there is any planned as of now! The voting period for these issues was challenging for us as the officer team, as we headed out into the cold everyday to try to get as many people to vote as possible! But we managed to reach quoracy which meant the vote was legitimate and the motion could be passed!

On 1 December, Jiji, Hanna and I decorated the Christmas tree in the SU! It is officially the holiday season gang, and we love that! I can't wait to get a well-earned rest and see my family back home, it has been a hot second since I last saw them.

Bath Model United Nations hosted their conference here in Bath last weekend and it was truly a spectacular event! I have been in talks with the committee since around April last year on how to best plan the event and it was a joy to see how well it came out. They even gave me a bunch a flowers to say thank you (brb crying rn), which was so lovely! I look forward to the next conference!! Congrats guys!  

In terms of things we have coming up, Officer Elections are now open! Make sure you check out the SU website and put yourself forward to be a candidate. I’ve been filming a day in the life so you can see exactly what would be involved with being an Activities Officer. Let me know if you have any questions on the role, I am more than happy to answer them!

Anyways that’s all from me folks. I hope everyone enjoys a well-earned break and recharges for January. Wherever you are, remember to stay hydrated, stay warm and eat good! Happy holidays :)

Love your Activities Officer 

David xxx